Wichita eagle., 1887-04-16

happy as you deserve. God bless you,
john
Johns face became shade or two paler
with emotion, and he walked up and down
the room few times; then he stood b.
hind his brothers. chair.
"Roger, you will think mo very weak,
very nervous, but dare not speak to
Alice myself I could not endure q re-
fusal from her have never given her
the most distant hint Of my feelings 1
have not the slightest reason to suppose
that she regards me as other than q mere
acquaintance, at most as Maude's brother.
Roger, we have always been friends as
well as brothers-stand by me In this;
you are less shy and more accustomed to
women; see Alice for me; ask her to be
my wife"
"John, you are mad! You do not mean
ftp
81 do; it is my only chance. Plead for
my happiness, brother, as would plead
for yours; am a man of few words, but
I feel deeply. A refusal from her lips
would kill me; could bear it from you"
''As you will, John; IN do my best"
and Roger leaned his head on his hand
and shaded his face from the light. "Pn
| call on Alice tomorrow"
| The next day was the longest of John
Gourlay's life; bright, warm, happy day,
that made people, even in the city, look
glad and cheerful. He went about his
business as usual, ate his luncheon and
walked home leisurely. Roger was stand
ing at the window watching for him, and
he kept his back to him when he entered
| the room.
"Well," John said gently, "Well,
Roger, have you seen herr"
Eyes, I've seen her." and Roger faced
round suddenly; "John, old fellow, its
no usev'
"Brotherp' and he lifted his hand as If
to ward off blow.
'Its no use," Roger went on in hard
voice: she does not love you. She loves
some one else, Be hman, John, and bear
it, for there's no hope"
Twenty-Five years passed by-a quarter
of a century of changes and chances-and
still the Gourlay Brothers held the even
tenor of their way. They were rich be-
yond their wishes or desires, and not al
together unhappy in their solitary friend
ship. Alice Russell seemed to have
drifted completely out Of their lives; her
name was never mentioned, and whether
she was married or dead they did not
know.
One morning about the middle of Sep
TENDER they were walking along the
Kings road at Brighton, whittier they
had gone for their annual holiday. Roger
entered shop to purchase something and
John stood outside looking dreamily at
the passersby. Suddenly he stared and
advanced a step as lady in an invalid
chair was wheeled by. CHANGING to look
up, she met his glance with smile OF
recognition Mr.. Gourlay, it surely is
it must be. l am so glad to see your
"And to meet you," John said, with
courteous bow II have not the pleasure
of Knowing
my name--I am Alice Russell STILL"
sho said frankly. At that moment Roger
appeared. For an sinstant the blood for
sock his ruddy face while a hot crimson
flush rose 70 Alice's pale cheek as she
tried to stammer out some words OF greet
ing. Roger was no less confused, and the
expression of both faces was revelation
to John Gourlay He felt as if the world
had suddenly drifted away from him and
he was left solitary in some unknown
infinite space. But there was nothing OF
that in his voice as he asked Alice for her
address and permission to call upon her
In the afternoon; then taking his brother
by the arm he led him away, and they con-
tinued their walk without exchanging q
single word about the strange encounter.
In the afternoon John called at Miss
Russell's hotel, and in few moments he
found himself seated beside her in pleas
ant sitting room overlooking the sea.
"Alice, he said, piunging into the sub
ject ut once, "do you remember q CONVEX
sation you had with my brother long
time ago."
eyes, remember, Mr.. Gourlay," she
replied, sadly.
she made request for me then which
it was not in your power to grant. am
come to make a similar one for him now.
Roger loves you, Alice. He has loved
you ali these long weary years, though
you will at least believed did not know it
then"
''Poor Roger Alice, said softly.
''You care about him? you will make
him happy even at this late hour? Tell
me, Alice, that you love my BROTHER
Eyes, Mr.. Gourlay, do. Why should
l deny it? / have loved him always,
though / did not know that he cared
about me, and if the little life that is left
me can make him happier, will devote it
to him gladly, proudly-poor Roger! You
see am too old for pretenses, Mr.. Gour |
lay, and l fear I am dying; therefore |
tell you all"
"Dying, Alice No, mol you will live |
many years yet, hope, to make my dear |
brother happy-brave, loyal hearted |
Roger Let me send him to you now, and I
Alice, for my old and long affections |
sake make him happy. He deserves it,
and that is the only way can ever help |
to repay the devotion Of his life
81 love him." Alice replied simply; 81
cannot do any more.'
In their lodgings John Gourlay found |
his brother pacing restlessly up and down
Roger, have found out your secre>
and hers, " he said, laying both his hands
on his shoulders; loyal, faithful friend, go
to her; she loves you; she is waiting for
you"
"Poor Alice! how she must have
How we all have suffered! but it's
nearly over now, Roger-the grief, pain,
regret. It's all clear and bright. Roger,
dear friend, can you forgive me-
Forgive you, john say rather can you
forgive mes''
True to the lastr' John murmured, as
he wrung his brothers hand ''Now,
Roger, go 10 her; she Is waiting for you.
She loves you-loves you, Rogeri Good
by, and may you both be happyl'
Late that evening when Roger Gourlay
home, full of deep, quiet glad
ness, he found his brother sitting in an
easy chair near the window apparently
asleep. The full moon shone down on